Process for oxidative dyeing hair

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a hair dyeing process for improved and milder dyeing of hair, especially human hair. The ready-to-use dyeing composition comprises carboxylic acids in addition to dyeing agents and oxidizing agents in order to improve dyeing efficiency with less loss of natural hair properties.

This application is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/055591, filed Mar. 15, 2016, which claims foreign priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of European Application No. 15184315.8 filed Sep. 8, 2015 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a hair dyeing process for improved and milder dyeing of hair, especially human hair.

Oxidative dyeing of human hair has been used for many decades in order to permanently change the hair color. It involves application of a strongly oxidative composition comprising the dyestuff precursors and optionally coupling substances onto hair and leaving it on the hair for a certain period of time, usually at elevated temperatures, in order to allow for penetration of the relatively small uncolored dye precursors into the hair. In combination with the action of strong oxidizing agents, the dye precursors are polymerized to larger molecules so that they may not be easily eluted from the hair fiber with subsequent washing and/or treatment. At the same time the effect of the oxidizing agent is to lighten the hair color to provide a relatively homogeneous dyeing base. Since the process involves the use of strong oxidative compositions, the hair fiber itself is negatively affected by such a treatment and it consequently loses its certain natural cosmetic properties such as its strength against breaking, its natural elasticity, its natural shine and natural soft feel upon touching.

Moreover, the to be dyed hair is not always homogenous in its physicochemical status as it may be damaged due to previous chemical treatments such as dyeing and/or permanently shaping and/or environmental effects. This often leads to inhomogeneous dyeing performance and therefore consumers' dissatisfaction. Therefore, there is a great need for milder and more effective dyeing compositions which overcome one or more of the above mentioned problems.

Recently, in a series of patent applications (US2015/0034119, US2015/0037270, WO2015/017768) methods are published which claim benefits of the combined use of a bismaleate based binding agent in hair chemical treatments such as oxidative hair dyeing, permanently shaping and bleaching for improving of hair structure. The publications are silent on the core of the present invention.

After a long research and careful considerations of the consumers' needs, the inventors of the present invention have unexpectedly found out that when commonly used oxidative dyeing compositions are mixed with another composition comprising predominantly carboxylic acids, homogeneous dyeing of hair fibers is achieved on virgin and pre-damaged hair and the natural cosmetic properties of hair are maintained.

Therefore, the first object of the present invention is a process for dyeing hair, especially human hair, wherein the compositions A, B, and C, being kept separately before application onto hair, and are mixed immediately before application onto hair at a weight ratio of A:B:C in the range from 1:2:0.1 to 1:1:1, to obtain a ready-to-use composition,

wherein the composition A is an aqueous composition comprising one or more hair dyes and one or more alkalizing agents and has an alkaline pH, in the range of 7.5 to 12,

wherein the composition B is an aqueous composition comprising one or more oxidizing agents, preferably hydrogen peroxide, and has a pH in the range of 1.5 to 5, wherein the composition C comprises

i) one or more carboxylic acids and/or their salts having three or more carboxyl groups, and

ii) one or more additional organic acid and/or their salts having one or two carboxyl groups,

wherein the composition C comprises the acids of i) and ii) and/or their salts at a total concentration of 10% to 100% by weight calculated to the total of the composition C,

wherein the ready-to-use composition has an alkaline pH in the range of 8 to 11 and comprises the acids and/or their salts at a total concentration in the range from 1% to 10% by weight calculated to the total of the ready-to-use composition,

wherein the ready-to-use composition is applied onto hair and left on the hair for 1 to 45 min, then rinsed off from hair and optionally the hair is shampooed and dried.

The second object is a kit for hair, especially human hair, comprising the compositions A, B and C as defined above.

The composition A comprises one or more hair dyes. Suitably, the composition A comprises one or more oxidative dye precursors and optionally one or more coupling substances.

Suitable non-limiting examples of oxidative dye precursor classes are p-phenylendiamines, p-aminophenols, and heterocyclic compounds such as diaminopyrazols and substituted pyrimidines, and suitable coupling substances are resorcinols, m-aminophenols, m-phenylendiamines, pyridines and substituted derivatives, and naphthols.

Non-limiting examples of the oxidative dye precursor compounds are p-phenylenediamine, p-aminophenol, 2,5-diamino-toluene, 2-n-propyl or 2-ethyl-p-phenylenediamine, 2,6-di-methyl-p-phenylene-diamine, 2-(2,5-diaminophenyl) ethanol, 1-amino-4-bis-(2′-hydroxy-ethyl)amino-benzene, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl amino)-5-aminotoluene, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylamine, 4-aminodiphenylamine, 2-amino-5-N,N-diethyl aminotoluene, 4-amino-N-ethyl-N-isopropyl aniline, 2-chloro-p-phenylenediamine, 1-β-hydroxyethyl-2,5-diamino-4-chlorobenzene, 1-β-hydroxyethyl-2,5-diamino-4-methyl benzene, 2-methoxy-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine, 1-amino-4-β-methoxyethyl aminobenzene, 1-dimethyl-amino-4-aminobenzene, 1-hydroxy-2,5-diamino-4-methyl benzene, 1-hydroxymethyl-2,5-diaminobenzene, 1,3-dimethyl-2,5-diaminobenzene, 1,4-diamino isopropyl benzene and/or 1-amino-4-β-hydroxypropyl aminobenzene, 1-hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole, 3,4-diamino-5-hydroxypyrazole, 3,5-diaminopyrazole, 3,5-diamino pyrazol-1-carboxamide, 3-amino-5-hydroxypyrazole, 1-phenyl-2-methylpyrazole, 1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazole-5-one, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-methanol, 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole, 4-aminophenol and the derivatives thereof such as 4-amino-3-methylphenol, 2-chloro-4-aminophenol, 2,6-dichloro-4-aminophenol, 2,4-diamino-phenol, 2,6-dibromo-4-aminophenol, tetraamino pyrimidines, triaminohydroxy pyrimidines, diaminomono- and -dihydroxy pyrimidines, aminotriazines, 5-amino salicylic acid and/or 1,2,4-triamino benzene, 2,5-diaminopyridine, 2,3-diaminopyridine, 2,6-diaminopyridine, 3-amino-2-methyl amino-6-methoxypyridine, 2-dimethyl-5-aminopyridine, 2-dimethyl aminoethyl-3-hydroxypyridine, 2-amino-4,6-dimethyl pyridine, 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine, 3-amino-2(β-hydroxyethyl amino)-6-methoxy pyridine, 2,6-dimethyl amino-5-aminopyridine, 2-di(hydroxyethyl) amino-5-aminopyridine, 2-hydroxyethyl amino-5-aminopyridine, 4-hydroxy-2,5,6-triaminopyrimidine and/or the water-soluble salts thereof, and mixture thereof.

The total concentration of the dye precursors (developing substances) customarily ranges between 0.001% to 5%, preferably 0.01% to 4% and more preferably 0.05% to 3%, and most preferably 0.1% to 2% by weight, calculated to the total of the composition A.

The suitable non-limiting examples of the coupling substance if present in the composition A are 5-amino-2-methylphenol, 2-methyl-5-hydroxyethylaminophenol, 2,4,-diaminophenoxyethanol, 2-amino-4-hydroxyethylaminoanisol, 2-methyl-5-amino-6-chlorphenol, 1,3-bis(2,4-diaminophenoxy)propane, 2-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminotoluene, 2-amino-5-methylphenol, resorcinol, 2-methyl-resorcinol, 4-chlororesorcinol, 2-amino-4-chlorophenol, 5-amino-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol, 2-aminophenol, 3-amino-phenol, 1-methyl-2-hydroxy-4-aminobenzene, 3-N,N-dimethyl aminophenol, 2,6-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxypyridine, 5-amino-3-methylphenol, 6-amino-3-methylphenol, 1,3-diamino-benzene, 1-amino-3-(2′-hy-droxyethylamino)benzene, 1-amino-3-[bis(2′-hydroxy-ethyl) amino]benzene, α-naphthol, 4,6-dichlororesorcinol, 1,3-diamino-toluene, 4-hydroxy-1,2-methylenedioxy benzene, 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene, 1,6-dihydroxy naphthalene, 1,7-dihydroxy naphthalene, 2,7-dihydroxy naphthalene, 1-hydroxy-2-methyl naphthalene, 4-hydroxy-1,2-methyldioxy benzene, 2,4-diamino-3-chlorophenol, 5-amino-2-methoxyphenol and/or 1-methoxy-2-amino-4-(2′-hydroxyethyl amino)benzene or the water-soluble salts thereof and mixture thereof.

In the composition A, the coupling substance(s) as reaction partners of the developing substance(s) are present in approximately the same molecular proportions as the developing substances, i.e. at a total concentration in the range of 0.001% to 5%, preferably 0.01% to 4% and more preferably 0.05% to 3%, and most preferably 0.1% to 2% by weight, calculated to the total of the composition A.

The composition A comprises furthermore one or more alkalizing agents, preferably selected from ammonia, alkyl- or alkanolamines according to the general structure

wherein R₁, R₂, and R₃ are same or different H, from C, to C₄, C₃ to C₄ unsaturated alkyl, C₃ to C₄ branched alkyl, C₁ to C₄ hydroxyl alkyl, C₃ to C₄ unsaturated hydroxyl alkyl, C₃ to C₄ branched hydroxyl alkyl, with the condition that at least one of R₁, R₂, or R₃ is different from H, wherein the alkalizing agents preferably selected from ammonia, monoethanolamine, and aminomethyl-propanol, and particularly suitable one is aminomethyl-propanol.

The alkalizing agent is comprised in the composition A at a total concentration of 1% to 20%, preferably 1% to 17.5%, more preferably 2% to 15% and most preferably 2.5% to 13% by weight calculated to the total of the composition A.

The pH of the composition A is in the range of 7.5 to 12, preferably 9 to 11, more preferably 9 to 10.5 and most preferably 9.5 to 10.5.

The composition B is an aqueous composition and comprises one or more oxidizing agent(s). The oxidizing agents suitable are hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, melamin peroxide or perborate salts. The most preferred is hydrogen peroxide. The composition B comprises one or more oxidizing agents at a total concentration of 1% to 20% by weight, preferably 2% to 15%, more preferably 2% to 12% and most preferably 3% to 12% by weight, calculated to the total of composition B. The composition B may be in the form of a solution, thickened gel or an emulsion. Emulsion form is particularly preferred.

The pH of the composition B is in the range of 1.5 to 5, preferably 2.0 to 4.5, more preferably 2.5 to 4.

The composition C comprises

i) one or more carboxylic acids having three or more carboxyl groups and/or their salts, and

ii) one or more additional organic acid and/or their salts having one or two carboxyl groups.

Suitable carboxylic acids with three or more carboxyl groups and/or their salts are citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), pyromellitic acid and glutamate diacetate. The ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and/or its salts such a monosodium, disodium, trisodium and tetrasodium salts are the most preferred ones.

Suitable organic acids with one or two carboxyl groups and/or their salts are acetic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, tartaric acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, and fumaric acid. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the composition C comprises as the second acid malic acid and/or its salts such as sodium, potassium and ammonium salts.

The composition C comprises the two acids at a total concentration in the range of 10% to 100% by weight, preferably 12.5% to 90%, more preferably 12.5% to 75% by weight and most preferably 12.5% to 60% by weight, calculated to the total of composition C.

The two acids are comprised in the composition C at a weight ratio of first acid (i) to second acid (ii) in the range from 10:1 to 1:250, preferably from 5:1 to 1:150, and more preferably from 2:1 to 1:100 and most preferably 1:50.

The composition C may be in the form of a powder, a dispersion, an emulsion or a solution. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the composition C is an aqueous composition and preferably has a pH in the range of 1 to 5, preferably 2 to 4, more preferably in the range of 2.5 to 3.6. In the case that the pH must be adjusted to a certain value, the composition C comprises one or more alkalizing agents preferably selected from ammonia, alkyl- or alkanolamines according to the general structure disclosed above. Particularly preferred alkalizing agent is aminomethyl-propanol.

The alkalizing agent is comprised in the composition C at a total concentration of 1% to 20%, preferably 1% to 17.5%, more preferably 2% to 15% and most preferably 2.5% to 13% by weight calculated to the total of the composition C.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition C comprises one or more thickening polymers selected from anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric polymers, preferably selected from polymers with a viscosity of at least 500 mPa·s measured at a polymer concentration of 1% by weight in water and at 20° C. with a Brookfield viscometer, such as at 10 rpm for 1 minute, with an appropriate spindle.

Suitable polymers are cellulose polymers, alginates, polysaccharides and acrylic acid polymers, preferably methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylhydroxyethylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, alginic acids, sodium alginates, ammonium alginates, calcium alginates, gum arabic, guar gum or xanthan gum, dehydroxanthan gum or acrylic acid polymers known with the CTFA adopted name Carbomer and its derivatives.

The preferred polymers are dehydroxanthan gum, xanthan gum, and polymeric anionic thickeners such as Carbomer and its derivatives. The particularly preferred thickening agent is dehydroxanthan gum. The thickening agents are preferably comprised in the composition C at a total concentration in the range of 0.1% to 5%, preferably, 0.2% to 3%, more preferably 0.25% to 2.5% and most preferably 0.3% to 2% by weight calculated to the total of the composition C.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the composition A and/or C comprise(s) one or more hair direct dyes. Suitable ones are cationic, anionic and nitro dyes. Plant dyes are also suitable for the compositions of the present invention.

Suitable anionic direct dyes are Acid Black 1, Acid Blue 1, Acid Blue 3, Food Blue 5, Acid Blue 7, Acid Blue 9, Acid Blue 74, Acid Orange 3, Acid Orange 6, Acid Orange 7, Acid Orange 10, Acid Red 1, Acid Red 14, Acid Red 18, Acid Red 27, Acid Red 50, Acid Red 52, Acid Red 73, Acid Red 87, Acid Red 88, Acid Red 92, Acid Red 155, Acid Red 180, Acid Violet 9, Acid Violet 43, Acid Violet 49, Acid Yellow 1, Acid Yellow 23, Acid Yellow 3, Food Yellow No. 8, D&C Brown No. 1, D&C Green No. 5, D&C Green No. 8, D&C Orange No. 4, D&C Orange No. 10, D&C Orange No. 11, D&C Red No. 21, D&C Red No. 27, D&C Red No. 33, D&C Violet 2, D&C Yellow No. 7, D&C Yellow No. 8, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Red 2, FD&C Red 40, FD&C Red No. 4, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue 1, Food Black 1, Food Black 2, Disperse Black 9, Disperse Violet 1, HC Blue 18, HC Red 18 and HC yellow 16 and their alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium. Among those, the most preferred anionic dyestuffs are Acid Red 52, DC Violet 2, DC Red 33, DC Orange 4, DC Red 27, DC Yellow 10, HC Blue 18, HC Red 18 and HC Yellow 16.

Suitable cationic dyes are in principle those available on the market for cosmetic hair colouring applications. For this purpose, special reference is made to the PCT application WO 95/15144 of Ciba-Geigy AG. Some examples to those are Basic Blue 6, Basic Blue 7, Basic Blue 9, Basic Blue 26, Basic Blue 41, Basic Blue 99, Basic Brown 4, Basic Brown 16, Basic Brown 17, Natural Brown 7, Basic Green 1, Basic Red 2, Basic Red 12 Basic Red 22, Basic Red 76, Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet 2, Basic Violet 3, Basic Violet 10, Basic Violet 14, Basic Yellow 57, Basic red 51, Basic Yellow 87, Basic Orange 31 and HC Blue 17. The most preferred ones are Basic Red 51, Basic Yellow 87 and Basic Orange 31 sold by BASF, and HC Blue 17. Suitable nitro dyes are HC Blue No. 2, HC Blue No. 4, HC Blue No. 5, HC Blue No. 6, HC Blue No. 7, HC Blue No. 8, HC Blue No. 9, HC Blue No. 10, HC Blue No. 11, HC Blue No. 12, HC Blue No. 13, HC Brown No. 1, HC Brown No. 2, HC Green No. 1, HC Orange No. 1, HC Orange No. 2, HC Orange No. 3, HC Orange No. 5, HC Red BN, HC Red No. 1, HC Red No. 3, HC Red No. 7, HC Red No. 8, HC Red No. 9, HC Red No. 10, HC Red No. 11, HC Red No. 13, HC Red No. 54, HC Red No. 14, HC Violet BS, HC Violet No. 1, HC Violet No. 2, HC Yellow No. 2, HC Yellow No. 4, HC Yellow No. 5, HC Yellow No. 6, HC Yellow No. 7, HC Yellow No. 8, HC Yellow No. 9, HC Yellow No. 10, HC Yellow No. 11, HC Yellow No. 12, HC Yellow No. 13, HC Yellow No. 14, HC Yellow No. 15, 2-Amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, picramic acid, 1,2-Diamino-4-nitrobenzol, 1,4-Diamino-2-nitrobenzol, 3-Nitro-4-aminophenol, 1-Hydroxy-2-amino-3-nitrobenzol and 2-hydroxyethylpicramic acid.

Plant dyestuffs can also be used alone or in combination with synthetic direct-acting dyestuffs, for example henna (red or black), alkanna root, laccaic acid, indigo, logwood powder, madder root and rhubarb powder, etc.

The compositions A and/or C may comprise one or more hair direct dye at a total concentration in the range of 0.01% to 10%, preferably 0.05% to 7.5% and more preferably 0.1% to 5% by weight calculated to the total of the compositions A or C. The composition can also comprise mixtures of several direct dyes i.e. an anionic, a cationic and/or a nonionic ones. In such a case the dyes may be mixed at any ratio with each other.

Any of the compositions A, B and/or C may comprise one or more of the commonly used hair conditioning compounds. These compounds are for example fatty alcohols, surfactants such as anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric ones, ubiquinones, ceramides, organic solvents, lipophilic ingredients such as vegetable oils, mineral oils, silicones, fatty acid fatty alcohol esters, preservatives, amino acids, and polyols. It should be noted that these compounds are optionally comprised in the any of the compositions and their incompatibility must be carefully considered prior to addition into the compositions.

Any of the compositions may comprise one or more fatty alcohols. In particular the compositions B and C may be aqueous composition and may further be in the form of an emulsion and then comprises preferably one or more fatty alcohols. Suitable fatty alcohols are the ones with the chain length of 14 to 22 C atoms which may be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched which may as well be substituted. Non-limiting examples are myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and cetostearyl alcohol.

The total concentration of fatty alcohol is in the range from 0.5% to 20%, preferably 1% to 15% by weight, calculated to the total of each composition.

Compositions according to the present invention may comprise surfactants selected from anionic, nonionic, amphoteric and/or cationic surfactants. The anionic, nonionic, amphoteric surfactants are generally used as emulsifier or solubilizer whereas the cationic surfactants are at the same time particularly used as hair conditioners.

Anionic surfactants suitable are in principle known from the cleansing compositions. These are anionic surfactants of the sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and alkyl phosphate type, for example, the known C₁₀-C₁₈-alkyl sulfates, and in particular the respective ether sulfates, for example, C₁₂-C₁₄-alkyl ether sulfate, lauryl ether sulfate, especially with 1 to 4 ethylene oxide groups in the molecule, monoglyceride (ether) sulfates, fatty acid amide sulfates obtained by ethoxylation and subsequent sulfatation of fatty acid alkanolamides, and the alkali salts thereof, as well as the salts of long-chain mono- and dialkyl phosphates.

Additional anionic surfactants useful within the scope of the invention are α-olefin sulfonates or the salts thereof, and in particular alkali salts of sulfosuccinic acid semiesters, for example, the disodium salt of monooctyl sulfosuccinate and alkali salts of long-chain monoalkyl ethoxysulfosuccinates.

Suitable surfactants of the carboxylate type are alkyl polyether carboxylic acids and the salts thereof as well as alkyl amido polyether carboxylic acids and salts thereof. Such products have been known for some time and are on the market, for example, under the trade name “AKYPO®” and “AKYPO-SOFT®”.

Also useful are C₈-C₂₀-acyl isethionates, alone or in admixture with other anionic surfactants, as well as sulfofatty acids and the esters thereof.

Further suitable anionic surfactants are also C₈-C₂₂-acyl aminocarboxylic acids or the water-soluble salts thereof. Especially preferred is N-lauroyl glutamate, in particular as sodium salt, as well as, for example, N-lauroyl sarcosinate, N—C₁₂-C₁₈-acyl asparaginic acid, N-myristoyl sarcosinate, N-oleoyl sarcosinate, N-lauroyl methylalanine, N-lauroyl lysine and N-lauroyl aminopropyl glycine, preferably in form of the water-soluble alkali or ammonium, in particular the sodium salts thereof, preferably in admixture with the above-named anionic surfactants.

It is also possible to use mixtures of several anionic surfactants.

Further surfactants suitable are nonionic surfactants. Non-limiting examples are long-chain fatty acid mono- and dialkanolamides, such as coco fatty acid mono- or diethanolamide and myristic fatty acid mono or diethanolamide, stearic acid mono or diethanolamide, alkyl polyglucosides with an alkyl group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and with 1 to 5 glucoside units, sorbitan esters, such as polyethylene glycol sorbitan stearic, lauric, myristic and palmitic acid esters, fatty acid polyglycol esters or poly-condensates of ethyleneoxide and propyleneoxide, as they are on the market, for example, under the trade name “Pluronics^(R)”, as well as fatty alcohol ethoxylates, C₁₀-C₂₂-fatty alcohol ethoxylates, known by the generic terms “Laureth”, “Myristeth”, “Oleth”, “Ceteth”, “Deceth”, “Steareth” and “Ceteareth” according to the CTFA nomenclature, including addition of the number of ethylene oxide molecules, e.g., “Laureth-16”: The average degree of ethoxylation thereby ranges between about 2.5 and about 100, preferably about 10 and about 30.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants are in particular the various known betaines such as alkyl betaines, fatty acid amidoalkyl betaines and sulfobetaines, for example, lauryl hydroxysulfobetaine; long-chain alkyl amino acids, such as cocoaminoacetate, cocoaminopropionate and sodium cocoamphopropionate and -acetate have also proven suitable.

Suitable cationic surfactants are according to the general structure

where R₅ is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or linear alkyl chain with 8-22 C atoms or R₇CO NH(CH₂)_(n) where R₇ is saturated or unsaturated, branched or linear alkyl chain with 7-21 C atoms and n has typical value of 1-4 or R₈CO O(CH₂)_(n) where R₈ is saturated or unsaturated, branched or linear alkyl chain with 7-21 C atoms and n has typical value of 1-4, and R₄ is H or unsaturated or saturated, branched or linear alkyl chain with 1-22 C atoms or R₇CO NH(CH₂)_(n) or R₈CO O(CH₂)_(n) where R₇, R₈ and n are same as above.

R₉ and R₆ are H or lower alkyl chain with 1 to 4 Carbon atoms, and X is typically chloride, bromide, methosulfate.

Typical examples of those ingredients are cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl trimonium chloride, dipalmitoyl dimonium chloride, distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, stearamidopropyl trimonuim chloride, dioleoylethyl dimethyl ammonium methosulfate, dioleoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate.

The concentration of one or more total surfactants in any of the compositions A, B or C is in the range of 0.1% to 20%, preferably 0.2% to 15% and most preferably 0.2% to 10% by weight, calculated to the total of each composition.

The compositions A, B and/or C may further comprise lipophilic ingredients such as vegetable oils, for example, jojoba oil or any other; liquid paraffins, especially paraffinum perliquidum and parafiinum subliquidum; silicones for example linear polysiloxanes such as dimethicones with various consistency and dimethiconols, aminated silicones with primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary ammonium groups such as amodimethicone, polysilicone 9, and quaternium 80, cyclic silicones such as cyclomethicones, arylated silicones such as phenyl trimethicone; fatty acid esters such as octyl palmitate, isocetyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate and octyl stearate, C₁₀- to C₃₆-fatty acid triglycerides, as well as their mixtures. Total concentration of these lipophilic compounds is in the range of 0.5% to 20% by weight, preferably from 1% to 15% by weight, and more preferably from 2% to 10% by weight, calculated to the total of each composition.

Composition A, B and/or C can also comprise cationic polymers as conditioning and/or thickening agents. Those are cationic cellulose type polymers know as Polymer JR type from Amerchol such as Polyquaternium 10 or cationic guar gum known with trade name Jaguar from Rhone-Poulenc and chemically for example Guar hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride. Furthermore, chitosan and chitin can also be included in the compositions as cationic natural polymers.

Furthermore, it has been found suitable to use those cationic polymers known with their CTFA category name Polyquaternium. Typical examples of those Polyquaternium 4, Polyquaternium 6, Polyquaternium 7, Polyquaternium 10, Polyquaternium 11, Polyquaternium 16, Polyquaternium 22, Polyquaternium 24, Polyquaternium 28, Polyquaternium 30, Polyquaternium 37, Polyquaternium 36, Polyquaternium 46, Polyquaternium 67, and Polyquaternium 72.

Equally suitable polymers are known with their CTFA category name Quaternium are suitable. Those are for example Quaternium-8, Quaternium-14, Quaternium-15, Quaternium-18, Quaternium-22, Quaternium-24, Quaternium-26, Quaternium-27, Quaternium-30, Quaternium-33, Quaternium-53, Quaternium-60, Quaternium-61, Quaternium-72, Quaternium-78, Quaternium-80, Quaternium-81, Quaternium-82, Quaternium-83 and Quaternium-84.

The total concentration of cationic polymers may be in the range of 0.1% to 7.5% by weight, preferably 0.3% to 5% by weight and more preferably 0.5% to 2.5% by weight, calculated to total of each composition

Composition A, B and/or C may comprise one or more ceramide compound, such as the one according to general formula

where R₁₁ and R₁₂ are independent from each other alkyl- or alkenyl group with 10 to 22 carbon atoms, R₁₃ is alkyl or hydroxyl alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms group and n is a number between 1 to 6, preferably 2 or 3. Preferred compound according to the above chemical structure is cetyl-PG-hydroxyethylpalmitamide. Concentration of ceramide type of compounds ranges from 0.01 to 2%, preferably 0.01 to 1% by weight calculated to total or each composition.

The compositions A, B and/or C may comprise ubiquinone of the formula:

wherein n is a number from 1 to 10. The concentration of ubiquinone can vary between 0.001% and 10% by weight, calculated to the total of each composition.

The compositions A, B and/or C may comprise one or more organic solvent such as 2-phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol and 2-benzyloxyethanol. Suitable aliphatic alcohols are ethanol, isopropanol, propanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, t-butanol and 1-pentanol. Concentration of one or more organic solvent is in the range of 0.1% to 15%, preferably 0.5% to 12.5% and more preferably 1% to 10% and most preferably 1% to 7.5% by weight calculated to the total of each composition.

The compositions A, B and/or C may further comprise one or more amino acids, preferably at a concentration in the range of 0.01% to 5%, preferably 0.1% to 3% and more preferably 0.2% to 2.5% and most preferably 0.25% to 2% by weight calculated to the total of each composition. Suitable ones are all of the known amino acids such as, arginine, alanine, asparagine, glutamine, glycine, histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valin.

The compositions A, B and/or C may further comprise one or more polyol(s), preferably at a concentration in the range of 0.01% to 5%, preferably 0.1% to 3% and more preferably 0.2% to 2.5% and most preferably 0.25% to 2% by weight calculated to the total of each composition. Suitable ones are propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, glycerine, panthenol and its derivatives.

The composition A may further comprise one or more reducing agents for improving long term stability of the oxidative dye precursors. The suitable ones are any of the known reducing agents such as sodium sulfit, ascorbic acid and its salts, thioglycolic acid and its salts. The concentration of the reducing agent in the composition A is typically in the range of 0.1% to 2% by weight calculated to the total of the composition A.

The compositions A, B and/or C may further comprise any known preservatives if necessary.

The following examples are to illustrate the invention, but not to limit it.

EXAMPLE 1

The composition A

% by weight Cetearyl alcohol 10.0 Cocamide MEA 4.0 Sodium lauryl sulphate 1.5 Propylene glycol 2.0 Cetyltrimonium chloride 0.5 2,5,6-Triamino-4-hydroxypyrimidine 0.01 sulphate 2,5-Diaminotoluene sulphate 0.55 4-Chlororesorcinol 0.17 Resorcinol 0.05 3-Aminophenol 0.03 Sodium sulfite 1.0 Aminomethyl propanol 2.0 Ammonium hydroxide q.s. to pH 10.0 Fragrance, preservative q.s. Water to 100 The composition B

% by weight Hydrogen peroxide 9.00 Cetyl stearyl alcohol 1.70 Phosphoric acid q.s. to pH 3.0 Sodium lauryl sulfate 0.20 Salicylic acid 0.10 Water ad 100.00 The composition C

% by weight Tetrasodium EDTA 1.0 Malic acid 13.0 Aminomethylpropanol 6.0 Hydroxypropyl xanthan gum 0.6 Cetrimonium chloride 0.1 Preservative q.s. Water to 100

The pH of the above composition C is approximately 3.5.

The above three compositions A, B and C were mixed at a weight ratio of A, B and C 1:2:0.2. The resulting composition had a pH of approximately 9.6. Hair streaks were obtained from International Hair Importers & Products Inc., Gendale, N.Y., USA. The composition was applied onto streaks of human hair and left on the hair for 30 min at ambient temperature, then rinsed off from the hair, then the hair was shampooed with a Dualsenses Color Shampoo and blow dried (inventive process).

For comparative purposes, the same was carried out without using the composition C. Instead of composition C the same amount of water was added. The resulting composition had a pH of approximately 9.6 and was adjusted with mineral acid. The composition was applied onto streaks of human hair and left on the hair for 30 min at ambient temperature, then rinsed off from the hair, then the hair was shampooed with a Dualsenses Color Shampoo and blow dried.

The above disclosed processes were applied to virgin human hair and pre-damaged human hair. Damage was conferred to hair by preparing an admixture of ammonium persulfate at 21% by weight, potassium persulfate at 36% by weight, and sodium metasilicate at 11% by weight, each calculated to the total of the composition, with hydrogen peroxide at 3% by weight, calculated to the total of the composition. Hair streaks were processed with this admixture for 10 min at room temperature, then the hair streaks were rinsed off with water, shampooed with a Dualsenses Color Shampoo and blow dried. Hair streaks having undergone this treatment were further processed with the inventive or comparative process of above.

Color evenness was measured by spectrophomoterical analysis with a Datacolor 45G CT instrument delivered from Datacolor Inc., Lawrenceville, N.J., USA. Based on the CIE*Lab color space results obtained by the measurements, ΔE_(ab) values for color difference were calculated according to equation (1): ΔE _(ab)=√{square root over ((L ₂ −L ₁)+(a ₂ −a ₁)+(b ₂ −b ₁))}  Equation 1 The CIE*Lch values were measured with the same instrument and were reported for comparison purposes as well.

Treatment Inventive Process Comparative Process group L a b c h L a b c h Virgin (1) 28.45 22.45 14.28 26.61 32.47 27.39 22.40 14.23 26.54 32.43 Pre- 30.04 26.95 17.53 32.15 33.04 31.63 29.54 19.32 35.30 33.19 damaged (2) Δ L Δ a Δ b Δ c Δ h Δ L Δ a Δ b Δ c Δ h  1.59  4.50  3.25  5.54  0.29  4.24  7.14  5.09  8.76  0.41 Δ E_(ab) 5.77 — 9.74 —

The results clearly showed that the inventive process delivered lower ΔE_(ab) compared to the comparative process which proves the superior color evenness on hair comprising pre-damaged and virgin parts. Moreover, color vibrancy (c value) increases less with the inventive process compared to the comparative process. Consequently the inventive process led to better color evenness on virgin and pre-damaged hair. In conclusion, the presented data clearly showed the superior performance of the inventive process compared to the state-of-the-art process.

Similar results were obtained with the following compositions (composition C) when used with the compositions A and B of the Example 1.

EXAMPLE 2

The composition C

Component % by weight AMP 6.0 Tetrasodium EDTA 3.0 Malic acid 13.0 Lactic acid 4.0 Hydroxypropyl xanthan 0.6 gum Polyquaternium-10 0.1 Water to 100 pH 3.5 ± 0.1

EXAMPLE 3

The composition C

Component % by weight Monoethanolamine 2.7 (MEA) Tetrasodium EDTA 5.0 Malic acid 15.0 Hydroxypropyl xanthan 0.6 gum Panthenol 0.1 Water To 100 pH 3.5 ± 0.1

EXAMPLE 4

The composition C

Component % by weight AMP 6.0 Citric acid 5.0 Malic acid 15.0 Hydroxypropyl xanthan 0.6 gum Behenamidopropyl 0.2 trimonium chloride Water to 100 pH 2.0 ± 0.1

EXAMPLE 5

The composition C

Component % by weight MEA 2.0 Lactic acid 15.0 Citric acid 6.0 Hydroxypropyl xanthan 0.6 gum Polyquaternium-67 0.1 Water to 100 pH 2.7 ± 0.1

EXAMPLE 6

The composition C

% by weight Disodium EDTA 1.0 Malic acid 13.0 Aminomethylpropanol 6.0 Basic red 51 1.00 HC red 18 1.00 Hydroxypropyl xanthan gum 0.6 Cetrimonium chloride 0.1 Preservative q.s. Water to 100

Hair was treated with the above composition C using the compositions A and B of the Example 1 as described under the Example 1. It was observed that the hair was dyed effectively into intensive red color. Exclusion of the composition C resulted in loss of colour brilliance and less smooth hair feel.

EXAMPLE 7

The composition C (powder)

% by weight Disodium EDTA 7.0 Malic acid 93.0

1 g of the above composition was added to the mixture of 10 g of composition A and 20 g of composition B (1 to 2) of the example 1. After mixing thoroughly, the resulting composition was applied onto hair and rinsed off after leaving on the hair for 30 min. It was observed that the hair as homogeneously dyed and felt natural upon touching.

EXAMPLE 8

The composition D

% by weight EDTA monosodium salt 1.0 Malic acid 13.0 Aminomethylpropanol 6.0 Hydroxypropyl xanthan gum 0.6 Cetrimonium chloride 0.1 Preservative q.s. Water to 100

The pH of the above composition D is approximately 3.1.

EXAMPLE 9

The composition D

% by weight EDTA disodium salt 1.0 Malic acid 13.0 Aminomethylpropanol 6.0 Hydroxypropyl xanthan gum 0.6 Cetrimonium chloride 0.1 Preservative q.s. Water to 100

The pH of the above composition D is approximately 3.2.

EXAMPLE 10

The composition D

% by weight EDTA trisodium salt 1.0 Malic acid 13.0 Aminomethylpropanol 6.0 Hydroxypropyl xanthan gum 0.6 Cetrimonium chloride 0.1 Preservative q.s. Water to 100

The pH of the above composition D is approximately 3.4. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A process for dyeing hair, the process comprising: separately storing compositions A, B, and C before application onto hair; mixing compositions A, B and C immediately before application onto hair at a weight ratio of A:B:C in the range from 1:2:0.1 to 1:1:1, to obtain a ready-to-use composition, wherein the composition A is an aqueous composition comprising one or more hair dyes and one or more alkalizing agents and has a pH in the range of 7.5 to 12, wherein the composition B is an aqueous composition comprising one or more oxidizing agents and has a pH in the range of 1.5 to 5, wherein the composition C comprises i) one or more carboxylic acids and/or their salts having three or more carboxyl groups, and ii) one or more additional organic acid and/or their salts having one or two carboxyl groups, wherein the composition C comprises the acids of i) and ii) and/or their salts at a total concentration of 10% to 100% by weight calculated to the total of the composition C, wherein the ready-to-use composition has an alkaline pH in the range of 8 to 11 and comprises the acids and/or their salts at a total concentration in the range from 1% to 10% by weight calculated to the total of the ready-to-use composition; applying the ready-to-use composition onto hair; leaving the ready-to-use composition on the hair for 1 minute to 45 minutes; and rinsing the ready-to-use composition off the hair.
 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid with 3 or more carboxyl groups is selected from citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), pyromellitic acid and glutamate diacetate, and the organic acid with one or two carboxyl groups is selected from acetic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, tartaric acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, and fumaric acid, wherein the composition C comprises the first acid (i) and the second acid (ii) at a weight ratio (i)/(ii) in the range of 10:1 to 1:250.
 3. The process according to claim 2, wherein the composition C is a powder, a dispersion, an emulsion or a solution.
 4. The process according to claim 3, wherein the composition C is an aqueous composition.
 5. The process according to claim 4 wherein composition C has a pH ranging from 1 to
 5. 6. The process according to claim 2, wherein the carboxylic acid with 3 or more carboxyl groups is EDTA and/or its salts.
 7. The process according to claim 2, wherein the organic acid with one or two carboxyl groups is malic acid and/or its salts.
 8. The process according to claim 5, wherein the composition A further comprises one or more oxidative dye precursors, and optionally one or more coupling substances.
 9. The process according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the composition A and the composition C further comprises one or more hair direct dye.
 10. The process according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the composition A and composition C comprises at least one alkalizing agent selected from ammonia, alkyl- or alkanolamines according to the general structure

wherein R₁, R₂, and R₃ are same or different H, from C₁ to C₄, C₃ to C₄ unsaturated alkyl, C₃ to C₄ branched alkyl, C₁ to C₄ hydroxyl alkyl, C₃ to C₄ unsaturated hydroxyl alkyl, C₃ to C₄ branched hydroxyl alkyl, with the condition that at least one of R₁, R₂, or R₃ is different from H.
 11. The process according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the composition A, the composition B and the composition further C comprises one or more ingredients, selected from fatty alcohols, surfactants, ubiquinones, ceramides, reducing agents, organic solvents, silicones, antioxidants, preservatives, amino acids, polyols.
 12. The process according to claim 8, wherein the composition C further comprises one or more thickening polymers with a viscosity of at least 500 mPa·s measured at a polymer concentration of 1% by weight in water and at 20° C. with a Brookfield viscometer, with a spindle.
 13. The process according to claim 12, wherein the thickening polymer is selected from hydroxypropyl xanthan gum, dehydroxanthan gum, xanthan gum, and polymeric anionic thickeners.
 14. The process according to claim 2, wherein the carboxylic acid with 3 or more carboxyl groups of composition C is EDTA and/or its salts and the additional organic acid having one or two carboxyl groups is malic acid and/or its salt.
 15. A kit for hair comprising the compositions A, B and C according to claim
 1. 16. The process according to claim 8, wherein the one or more oxidative dye precursors is selected from p-phenylendiamines, p-aminophenols, diaminopyrazols, and substituted pyrimidines.
 17. The process according to claim 16, wherein the composition A further comprises one or more coupling substances selected from resorcinols, m-aminophenols, m-phenylendiamines, pyridines and substituted derivatives, and naphthols. 